Chelsi Smith
Encyclopedia
Chelsi Mariam Pearl Smith (born August 23, 1973) is a former beauty pageant titleholder from the United States
who became the first Miss USA
in fifteen years to capture the Miss Universe
crown on May 12, 1995.
to 19-year-old parents Craig Smith, an African American
maintenance man, and Denise Trimble, a White American
secretary. Her parents divorced before she was two, and her mother, an alcoholic at the time, granted Smith's grandparents Barnie and Jeanette custody of her.
Smith and her maternal grandparents moved to Kingwood, Texas when she was 7, where they would later get divorced as well, causing Smith to grow up in a divided home while she attended high school
in Deer Park
. Prior to her win at Miss USA, she was a sophomore
majoring in education at San Jacinto Junior College.
pageant, as Miss South East Texas USA. The following year
she competed again as Miss Galveston County USA, and won the title, as well as the Miss Congeniality award. Smith, a Multiracial American
, became the first titleholder of African American
heritage in the pageant's history.
pageant broadcast live from South Padre Island, Texas
on February 10, 1995. Her roommate was Britt Powell
, Miss Missouri USA
.
During the final telecast, Chelsi became the clear favorite of the judges, obtaining the highest average preliminary score and entering the semifinals in first place, becoming the fourth consecutive woman from her state to make the semifinals, but the only one with much higher scores than her competitors. She breezed through the swimsuit and interview competitions, with the highest scores among the semifinalists, and advanced to the top six in first place. As the indisputable leader, she dominated with her articulate answers the next two rounds of competition: the Top 6 judges' questions and the Top 3 final question.
When asked how she, as an advisor, would change the first lady's image if asked for a consultation, Smith replied: "I would tell her not to change her image, actually. I believe very strongly in who I am, and I've seen 50 ladies tonight who believe very strongly in who they are, and I really think that she wouldn't have made it as far as she has if she wouldn't have been herself, so I really truly think she should stay exactly the way she is." Her answer impressed the judges, giving her once again the highest scores, the crown, the prizes and the prestigious title. She became the seventh woman from her state to hold the Miss USA
title and also won the Miss Congeniality award as she had at her state pageant, becoming the only Miss USA
winner and Miss Texas USA
in history to win this award.
After her crowning, Smith was a celebrity contestant on Wheel of Fortune and an award presenter at the People's Choice Awards
.
pageant, broadcast live from Windhoek Country Club on May 12, 1995. She was again the highest placed contestant after the preliminary competition, which propelled her into the top ten. During the final competition, she had the highest swimsuit score, placed third in interview and seventh in evening gown, still remaining the highest placed contestant overall. Once again, Smith was among the final 3 contestants and went on to win the title, becoming the first Miss USA
to capture the Miss Universe
crown in 15 years.
, Jantzen
, Pontiac
, Venus Swimwear
, and Pure Protein among others. She made appearances on Martin
, Due South
and the TLC
documentary, The History of the Bathing Suit.
With the support of Music World Entertainment/Sony
, Smith co-wrote and recorded with producer Damon Elliott
her first single, "Dom Da Da", part of the soundtrack for The Sweetest Thing
, starring Cameron Diaz
.
In 2003, she acted in an independent film where she co-starred with Allen Payne and Elise Neal
. She also co-hosted Beyoncé Knowles
' special Beyonce: Family and Friends Tour on Pay-per-view and appeared on HBO in a Saladin Patterson's short film () with Marc Blucas
and Aisha Tyler
. She was also a judge at the 2006 Miss Teen USA
pageant.
Smith married her fiancé, fitness coach Kelly Blair, after her reign as Miss Universe
and moved to Los Angeles
. They later divorced.
In 2011 she was presented the Influential Multiracial Public Figure award.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
who became the first Miss USA
Miss USA 1995
Miss USA 1995, the forty-fourth Miss USA pageant, was held at South Padre Island, Texas culminating in the final competition and crowning on February 10, 1995....
in fifteen years to capture the Miss Universe
Miss Universe 1995
Miss Universe 1995, the 44th Miss Universe pageant was held at Windhoek Country Club Resort, in Windhoek, Namibia on May 12, 1995. Chelsi Smith of USA was crowned as Miss Universe 1995 by Miss Universe 1994 Sushmita Sen of India...
crown on May 12, 1995.
Early life
Smith was born in Redwood City, CaliforniaRedwood City, California
Redwood City is a California charter city located on the San Francisco Peninsula in Northern California, approximately 27 miles south of San Francisco, and 24 miles north of San Jose. Redwood City's history spans from its earliest inhabitation by the Ohlone people, to its tradition as a port for...
to 19-year-old parents Craig Smith, an African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
maintenance man, and Denise Trimble, a White American
White American
White Americans are people of the United States who are considered or consider themselves White. The United States Census Bureau defines White people as those "having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa...
secretary. Her parents divorced before she was two, and her mother, an alcoholic at the time, granted Smith's grandparents Barnie and Jeanette custody of her.
Smith and her maternal grandparents moved to Kingwood, Texas when she was 7, where they would later get divorced as well, causing Smith to grow up in a divided home while she attended high school
Deer Park High School (Texas)
Deer Park High School, located in Deer Park, Texas, is a high school serving 3,780 students from grades 9-12 and is a part of the Deer Park Independent School District....
in Deer Park
Deer Park, Texas
Deer Park is a city in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. The city is located in Harris County and is situated in Southeast Texas. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Deer Park was 32,010....
. Prior to her win at Miss USA, she was a sophomore
Sophomore
Sophomore is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the second year of study at high school or university.The word is also used as a synonym for "second", for the second album or EP released by a musician or group, the second movie of a director, or the second season of a...
majoring in education at San Jacinto Junior College.
Miss Texas USA
Smith competed in her first major beauty contest in 1994, when she was a semifinalist in the Miss Texas USAMiss Texas USA 1994
Miss Texas USA 1994, was held at the Bayfront Convention Center in Corpus Christi, Texas on July 27, 1993.At the conclusion of the final competition, Christine Louise Friedel of El Paso was crowned by outgoing titleholder Angie Sisk.-Results:...
pageant, as Miss South East Texas USA. The following year
Miss Texas USA 1995
Miss Texas USA 1995, was held at the South Padre Island Convention Centre in South Padre Island, Texas on June 28, 1994At the conclusion of the final competition, Chelsi Smith was crowned by outgoing titleholder Christine Friedel....
she competed again as Miss Galveston County USA, and won the title, as well as the Miss Congeniality award. Smith, a Multiracial American
Multiracial American
Multiracial Americans, US residents who identify themselves as of "two or more races", were numbered at around 9 million, or 2.9% of the population, in the census of 2010. However there is considerable evidence that the real number is far higher. Prior to the mid-20th century many people hid their...
, became the first titleholder of African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
heritage in the pageant's history.
Miss USA
Smith went on to compete in the 1995 Miss USAMiss USA 1995
Miss USA 1995, the forty-fourth Miss USA pageant, was held at South Padre Island, Texas culminating in the final competition and crowning on February 10, 1995....
pageant broadcast live from South Padre Island, Texas
South Padre Island, Texas
South Padre Island is a town in Cameron County, Texas, United States. It is part of the Brownsville–Harlingen Metropolitan Statistical Area. It may be included as part of the Brownsville–Harlingen–Raymondville and the Matamoros–Brownsville metropolitan areas. The population was 2,816 at the...
on February 10, 1995. Her roommate was Britt Powell
Britt Boyse
Britt Powell Boyse is a former beauty pageant contestant from Kansas City, Missouri who has competed in the Miss USA pageant.In 1994 Boyse competed in the Miss Missouri pageant as Miss Northwest Missouri and placed first runner-up to Ann Marie Sun...
, Miss Missouri USA
Miss Missouri USA
The Miss Missouri USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state Missouri in the Miss USA pageant. In 1993, Missouri joined the Vanbros group of state pageants for the Miss USA and Teen USA system....
.
During the final telecast, Chelsi became the clear favorite of the judges, obtaining the highest average preliminary score and entering the semifinals in first place, becoming the fourth consecutive woman from her state to make the semifinals, but the only one with much higher scores than her competitors. She breezed through the swimsuit and interview competitions, with the highest scores among the semifinalists, and advanced to the top six in first place. As the indisputable leader, she dominated with her articulate answers the next two rounds of competition: the Top 6 judges' questions and the Top 3 final question.
When asked how she, as an advisor, would change the first lady's image if asked for a consultation, Smith replied: "I would tell her not to change her image, actually. I believe very strongly in who I am, and I've seen 50 ladies tonight who believe very strongly in who they are, and I really think that she wouldn't have made it as far as she has if she wouldn't have been herself, so I really truly think she should stay exactly the way she is." Her answer impressed the judges, giving her once again the highest scores, the crown, the prizes and the prestigious title. She became the seventh woman from her state to hold the Miss USA
Miss USA
The Miss USA beauty contest has been held annually since 1952 to select the United States entrant in the Miss Universe pageant. The Miss Universe Organization operates both pageants, as well as Miss Teen USA...
title and also won the Miss Congeniality award as she had at her state pageant, becoming the only Miss USA
Miss USA
The Miss USA beauty contest has been held annually since 1952 to select the United States entrant in the Miss Universe pageant. The Miss Universe Organization operates both pageants, as well as Miss Teen USA...
winner and Miss Texas USA
Miss Texas USA
The Miss Texas USA competition is the pageant who selects the representative for the state Texas in the Miss USA pageant. In turn, the winner of Miss USA competes for the title of Miss Universe....
in history to win this award.
After her crowning, Smith was a celebrity contestant on Wheel of Fortune and an award presenter at the People's Choice Awards
People's Choice Awards
The People's Choice Awards is an American awards show recognizing the people and the work of popular culture. The show has been held annually since 1975 and is voted on by the general public. The People's Choice Awards air on CBS and are produced by Procter & Gamble and Survivor magnate Mark Burnett...
.
Miss Universe
After becoming Miss USA, Smith traveled to Windhoek, Namibia to compete in the 1995 Miss UniverseMiss Universe 1995
Miss Universe 1995, the 44th Miss Universe pageant was held at Windhoek Country Club Resort, in Windhoek, Namibia on May 12, 1995. Chelsi Smith of USA was crowned as Miss Universe 1995 by Miss Universe 1994 Sushmita Sen of India...
pageant, broadcast live from Windhoek Country Club on May 12, 1995. She was again the highest placed contestant after the preliminary competition, which propelled her into the top ten. During the final competition, she had the highest swimsuit score, placed third in interview and seventh in evening gown, still remaining the highest placed contestant overall. Once again, Smith was among the final 3 contestants and went on to win the title, becoming the first Miss USA
Miss USA
The Miss USA beauty contest has been held annually since 1952 to select the United States entrant in the Miss Universe pageant. The Miss Universe Organization operates both pageants, as well as Miss Teen USA...
to capture the Miss Universe
Miss Universe
Miss Universe is an annual international beauty contest that is run by the Miss Universe Organization. The pageant is the most publicized beauty contest in the world with 600 million viewers....
crown in 15 years.
Life after Miss Universe
As a model, Smith worked for Hawaiian TropicHawaiian Tropic
Hawaiian Tropic is a brand of suntan lotion sold around the world, but more widely available in the United States.The Company was founded by Ron Rice in 1969. It was the largest private manufacturer of sun care products in the United States until being acquired in May 2007 by Playtex Products, Inc...
, Jantzen
Jantzen
Jantzen is a brand of swimwear that was established in 1916 and first appeared in the city of Portland, Oregon, United States. The brand name later replaced the name of the parent company that manufactured the branded products...
, Pontiac
Pontiac
Pontiac was an automobile brand that was established in 1926 as a companion make for General Motors' Oakland. Quickly overtaking its parent in popularity, it supplanted the Oakland brand entirely by 1933 and, for most of its life, became a companion make for Chevrolet. Pontiac was sold in the...
, Venus Swimwear
Venus Swimwear
In 1984, Daryle Scott created Venus Body Wear, selling ladies' leotards and exercise apparel via full-page ads in Cosmopolitan and other national magazines. A year later, the company expanded to include women’s swimwear and became known as Venus Swimwear. In 1999, Venus acquired WinterSilks, a...
, and Pure Protein among others. She made appearances on Martin
Martin (TV series)
Martin is an American sitcom produced by HBO Independent Productions that aired for five seasons, from August 27, 1992 to May 1, 1997 on Fox...
, Due South
Due South
Due South is a Canadian crime drama series with elements of comedy. The series was created by Paul Haggis, produced by Alliance Communications, and stars Paul Gross, David Marciano, and latterly Callum Keith Rennie...
and the TLC
TLC (TV channel)
TLC is an American cable TV specialty channel which initially focused on educational content. Since 1991 TLC has been owned by Discovery Communications, the same company that operates the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and The Science Channel, as well as other learning-themed networks...
documentary, The History of the Bathing Suit.
With the support of Music World Entertainment/Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
, Smith co-wrote and recorded with producer Damon Elliott
Damon Elliott
Damon Elliott , commonly known as Dame, is an American producer, writer, composer, recording artist and entrepreneur. His production genre’s include pop, hip hop, rock, R&B, gospel, and more recently, country....
her first single, "Dom Da Da", part of the soundtrack for The Sweetest Thing
The Sweetest Thing
The Sweetest Thing is a 2002 American film farce directed by Roger Kumble and written by Nancy Pimental, who based the characters on herself and friend Kate Walsh...
, starring Cameron Diaz
Cameron Diaz
Cameron Michelle Diaz is an American actress and former model. She became famous during the 1990s with roles in the movies The Mask, My Best Friend's Wedding, and There's Something About Mary. Other high-profile credits include the two Charlie's Angels films, voicing the character Princess Fiona...
.
In 2003, she acted in an independent film where she co-starred with Allen Payne and Elise Neal
Elise Neal
Elise Neal is an American film and television actress.-Early life:Neal, a Memphis, Tennessee native, was born on March 14, 1966, the daughter of a nurse and a construction worker. She attended Lakeview Elementary. She was a ballet dancer and a cheerleader...
. She also co-hosted Beyoncé Knowles
Beyoncé Knowles
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles , often known simply as Beyoncé, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, she enrolled in various performing arts schools and was first exposed to singing and dancing competitions as a child...
' special Beyonce: Family and Friends Tour on Pay-per-view and appeared on HBO in a Saladin Patterson's short film () with Marc Blucas
Marc Blucas
Marcus Paul "Marc" Blucas is an American actor, known for playing Riley Finn in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.-Early life:...
and Aisha Tyler
Aisha Tyler
Aisha N. Tyler is an American actress, stand-up comedian, and author, known for her regular role as Andrea Marino in the first season of Ghost Whisperer and voicing Lana Kane in Archer, as well as her recurring roles in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Talk Soup, and on Friends as Charlie...
. She was also a judge at the 2006 Miss Teen USA
Miss Teen USA 2006
Miss Teen USA 2006, the 24th Miss Teen USA pageant, was televised live from Palm Springs Convention Center, Palm Springs, California on August 15, 2006. The pageant was won by Katie Blair of Montana....
pageant.
Smith married her fiancé, fitness coach Kelly Blair, after her reign as Miss Universe
Miss Universe
Miss Universe is an annual international beauty contest that is run by the Miss Universe Organization. The pageant is the most publicized beauty contest in the world with 600 million viewers....
and moved to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. They later divorced.
In 2011 she was presented the Influential Multiracial Public Figure award.